Written by: Alice Paola Pomè who attended this event.

As part of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 68) held in New York between March 11 and 22, Soroptimist International organized a series of parallel events. The Federation of Soroptimist International Americas (SIA) organized a virtual event entitled ‘Accelerating Gender Equality through education with SI’, speakers discussed the power of education in empowering all women and girls.  

Education has always been a focal aspect of SIA activities. Since 1972, SIA Soroptimists have been investing in educations projects, that are collected under the title Live Your Dream Education award. SIA President, Bobbi Enderlin, highlighted the power of education in providing girls with the tools to avoid unhealthy relationships, gender violence, and poverty. Investing in education for girls and women provides both the financial support and the self-esteem they need to start a new path for themselves and their family.  

Women and girls supported by the program may receive up to USD 15.000 to improve their skills and enhance their quality of life. A survey of participants, who were contacted three years after receiving the award revealed: 

• 81% of beneficiaries reported to have completed their education and improved their standard of living 93% have increased their self-esteem  
• 96% live in a safe environment 
• 56% have survived gender-based violence 

The SIA Program represents a best practice template in other contexts, by demonstrating that with a small collection of territorial clubs, a high impact can be generated thanks to the network of a Federation. Being a collective tool to support territorial clubs to work on local needs, the ‘Live Your Dream’ program allows clubs to assess specific needs to support women and girls’ education.  

In total, over the years SIA has invested a total of USD 41 million to support more than 40.000 women and girls. The aim of SIA is even more ambitious, with the ‘Live Your Dreams’ program Federation clubs are striving to increase the economic empowerment of girls and women with the ultimate goal of reaching half a million by the end of 2030.  

Following the presentation on Federation activity, three speakers talked about best practice projects.  

Julie Kaye presented what she called “the most satisfaction in knowing firsthand what Soroptimist contributes to young girls with a dream”. In 2017 the Metropolitan Sacramento SI club started working with high-school girls to support their careers. Through openness, respect, and encouragement, they created a safe space for students to engage and develop friendships.  

Alongside the club started a specific project, in collaboration with Art Foundation, Community Collaborative Charter schools, aimed at teaching a group of girls what it takes to become professional artists. The girls’ feedback, obtained by the Sacramento club, was remarkably positive, and the girls’ joy in accomplishing something that they never dreamed possible was very clear. 

Terri Craig reported on the Central East Coast region’s support of the ‘Live Your Dream’ program. As President of the region, Terri’s objective is to support clubs in funding the empowerment of women and girls. Terri shared that they organize different online collective efforts to share objectives and results among clubs and to brainstorm future ideas. 

Marilee Stefenhagen and Laurel Lanham reported on the result of the Norwalk Santa Fe springs’ project, which won the Federation Club Award this year. The project, started in 2018, focused on educating women in transition. By paying for the general education diploma of imprisoned women and girls placed in re-entry programs, their sentence was reduced by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  

After investing in four women in 2018, they increased the budget a further USD 3.000. As well as improving the education of women in transition, this financial investment acted as a social investment provided for women by other women to help them re-enter society.  

This discussion demonstrated the great impact that Soroptimists create in local communities. In several discussions during CSW68, panellists highlighted the connection between education and poverty. Data, presented both by UNESCO and UNICEF, reported that investing in the education of young women and girls enables them to avoid violence and poverty in their lives. The example of SIA demonstrates what Soroptimists can achieve in their communities to eliminate gender inequality and support girls in living empowered and safer lives.